#“he's trying to bang Mirabel!” “how do you know?” “it's what I would do”

[grandfangarbagechan]

A brumira thought I keep having

through whatever circumstance, teenage versions of the triplets travel to the future.

Pepa and Julieta maybe shock their kids with how different they are. Felix spends most of his time reassuring teenage Pepa that she's not unlovable and he likes her weather. Bruno on the other hand?

Bruno is doing literally everything in his power to keep his teenage self from being alone with Mirabel. He will straight up pick up this kid and move him to another room. Mirabel is confused about why he's doing this because as far as she can tell Brunito here is just being friendly.

And teen!Bruno is like "yeah, I'm just talking to someone who understands" and Bruno is like "I know exactly what you're doing, you little miscreant". Everyone thinks Bruno is overreacting and being mean for no reason. Especially because his younger self is great at convincing Julieta and Pepa that he's an innocent lil baby.

Until they convince him to leave those two alone and come spend time with the adults, and like 45 minutes later Isabela or Delores comes to get them because they just caught Brunito and Mirabel making out.

Reactions range from "I knew it!" (Literally just Bruno) to shock and confusion (everyone else)

[katzoo12]

Of Selflessness, Stubborness, and Sickness

A.N. Okay guys, I don’t know how many of my followers know this, but…I am now an Encanto fan! That’s right! And this right here is my entry to Encanto Big Bang. It’s actually my first fic for this movie, so enjoy! The art is by @the-little-robyn​ , so check her out!

One of the worst things about having the gift of healing food is that it didn't heal EVERYTHING. Something that Julieta knew all too well.

When it came to what could be healed, physical injuries like broken arms and cuts were high on the list. Illness, on the other hand…her food helped relieve the worst symptoms and gave the immune system a boost, but that was all it could do.

Julieta sighed as she finished up another batch of arepas. How she wished she could halt everyone's suffering, especially now…

It had been six months since Casita had been rebuilt…and two weeks since a particularly virulent flu epidemic had broken out. While Alma's pressure on everyone had been greatly reduced since Mirabel opened her eyes, it was still hard driven into Julieta's very nature to be the caretaker of the Encanto.

She HATED seeing people injured and sick, especially when she could do something about it. Of course, with that line of thinking, she always ended up running herself ragged, trying to aid as many people as she possibly could.

If it wasn't for her familia and her loving husband Agustín, she would have died from exhaustion a long time ago.

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Agustín…the light of Julieta's life. Her other half.

To this day, she still remembered when she realized that she was in love. She was twenty-five years old, and it was like any other day in front of her stand, handing out her healing food.

After dealing with a deep cut and a few skinned knees, she smiled fondly at the sight of her most common patient.

"Ay, Agustín…bees again?"

Not that she needed to ask, of course.

The poor bespectacled man's hands and left ear were swollen to the size of balloons.

And yet, despite all the pain he was in, Agustín still managed to crack an awkward smile in her direction.

"You know me, Julieta…" he chuckled. "The most accident-prone man in the Encanto…"

And indeed, he was. Nearly every day found him at her stand, awaiting her healing.

It was routine, whether it was a sprained ankle or bee stings, like now.

Today, however, seemed to be a bit different. Agustín was looking at her, brow furrowed in what Julieta thought was pensiveness.

"Something on your mind…?" she asked as she reached for an empanada to offer him.

Agustín hesitated, averting his gaze. But after a moment, he seemed to gather the courage to continue.

"Well…it's just that…you always take care of everyone in the Encanto. Every day, without fail. Don't you ever get tired?"

Julieta raised an eyebrow, handing him her food.

"What if I do? Mamá always says-"

"You're only human, Julieta. And sometimes…your own well-being should come before your duty to everyone else."

The healer froze in surprise. Until that moment, no one had ever told her that before. Agustín continued.

"I'm just concerned…every time I see you, you seem a bit more worn-out. Have you been sleeping well?"

Julieta was about to answer when an impatient cough rang out from the line. She blanched, seeing the queue of injured stretching out longer than ever before.

"Don't worry about me, ok? I'm supposed to be looking after you. Eat," she urged, beckoning Agustín to take a bite of the empanada.

He did so, and immediately the swelling from the stings vanished into nothing. His worried look however, didn't fade. The bespectacled man started walking away but turned back to call one last time over his shoulder.

"Just…take care. I don't want you to run yourself into the ground!"

Julieta froze once again, lost in her thoughts. She couldn't deny how nice it felt, being on the receiving end of someone else's concern.

Usually, it was her siblings that made her feel that way, but with Agustín, it was something different…something more special. It wasn't until she got back to Casita for the day that she realized what those feelings even meant.

The tenderness she felt towards him, the warm feeling when she let him be concerned for her…it all pointed to one thing.

I love him… Julieta thought happily. I love him more than anything…but does he feel the same way?

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The present-day Julieta was jolted out of her memories when the sound of footsteps behind her drew her attention.

Without turning around, she called out "Ay, Luisa, what are you doing out of bed? You need rest if you want to recover properly."

Her middle daughter sighed…which immediately turned into a rough-sounding coughing fit. She was the first of the Madrigals to be struck down, and so far was proving to be quite the difficult patient.

This wasn't the first time she'd been caught trying to sneak out to help, and Julieta doubted it would be the last. Finally turning to face the taller woman, the healer watched as Luisa tried to defend herself.

"Lo sé, Mamá, but I feel fine and…and-ACHOO!"

A thunderous sneeze burst out of her, causing Luisa to put a hand against the wall to regain her balance. Julieta smiled softly and guided Luisa to a chair.

The nineteen-year-old really did look awful, with a pale face, flushed cheeks, tired eyes, and a red nose to tie it all together. Add that to her hoarse and stuffy-sounding voice, and it was clear that she was far from healthy.

Now if only she'll ACCEPT that… Julieta thought.

"Hija," she continued gently, "I know you want to help, and that's admirable of you. However, you can't give your best effort when you're not feeling well…and I wouldn't want to see you get any sicker by pushing yourself."

Julieta lovingly put a hand on Luisa's cheek.

"Por favor…just give yourself a few more days to rest."

Her middle daughter's shoulders sagged in resignation.

"Okay, Mamá…" she relented softly.

Julieta nodded in satisfaction, proud that she managed to convince Luisa to rest some more…for now.

"Bien. Now, how about I give you another arepa con queso and you can try to go back to sleep?"

Luisa nodded…before going into another harsh coughing fit.

This time, however, Julieta was there to soothingly rub her back until she got her breathing under control.

As soon as Luisa stopped trying to bring up a lung, she turned once more to her mother.

"And…some agua too, por favor?" she asked in a small voice, as if she thought it would be an inconvenience.

"Por supesto, corazón, you need fluids if you want to beat this thing. Also…remember, you are not a burden if you ask for help…" Julieta murmured.

Once Luisa nodded in acknowledgement, Julieta got up to retrieve one of her recently finished arepas and fill a glass with ice water.

Her gift worked wonders on her ill daughter, Luisa already looking less flushed after a single bite of her cooking. "Gracias, Mamá…te quiero…" "Te quiero también, Lu…now, let's get you back to bed."

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Soon enough, the third oldest grandchild was bundled under her blankets once more.

"Do you need anything else, mija?" Julieta asked.

Luisa shook her head, suppressing a single cough into her fist and reaching for the glass of water on her nightstand.

"I'm okay for now…" she said after she took a sip.

Julieta nodded.

"Bien. Just let me know if you think of something. As for now, I'm going to check on the rest of the familia…"

She turned to leave, looking back one last time at Luisa and blowing her a kiss. The healer let the door close behind her, letting out a tired sigh and swallowing. As soon as she did however, a sharp pain took up residence in her throat.

"Ah..." she gasped, rubbing her neck with one hand.

Julieta's eyes widened at the realization of what that meant.

Ay no…not now…por favor not now!

But there was no denying it. With another swallow and another wince, it was abundantly clear that the healer would be the epidemic's next victim.

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Besides the inconvenience, being ill also messed with the gifted Madrigals' powers. While some of the gifts became overactive (as evidenced by Camilo shapeshifting uncontrollably whenever he coughed or sneezed), others became weaker, or left their owner completely.

The latter scenario often happening to Luisa, or in this case…Julieta. Luckily her cooking wouldn't lose ALL its magic, but its diminished effects would still be noticeable.

And that could be a problem, especially if I still want to appear healthy… Julieta mused.

Which of course, she did. People still needed her help, so she couldn't afford to take a day off. And besides, her symptoms weren't THAT bad…for now.

If anyone asks, then I'll simply tell them I'm tired and I'll go to bed early tonight. Hopefully that excuse will cover for my gift as well…

Julieta nodded resolutely. She had a plan…now all she had to do was execute it. But before any of that, she needed to make her rounds and check on the other family members.

Julieta started down the stairs and headed towards the kitchen to put a few arepas on a large plate.

When she was satisfied that she had enough, she climbed to the second floor once more and headed towards Isabela's room.

Sadly, Luisa (and now the healer) weren't the only ones affected by the flu. Not long after her middle child had taken ill, her eldest was quick to follow.

Isabela's always had a good immune system, Julieta mused, but even that has its limitations…

Knocking softly on the flower child's door, she called out, "Isa…? It's Mamá…may I come in?"

A loud sneeze, a rustle of flora, and an unladylike groan was all that answered the healer, but it was enough affirmation for her to enter.

The first thing Julieta noticed was how faded the normally vibrant room looked. Most of the flowers, vines, and cacti were brown and shriveled up, with the only splotches of color around Isabela's bed.

Speaking of the eldest grandchild, she was currently sprawled out across her mattress, trying desperately to find a spot that wasn't soaked with her feverish sweat.

Suddenly, her eyes widened, her breath hitched, and she reached for a handkerchief just in time to cover a loud "ACHOO!"

The moment the sternutation rang through the air, a variety of bromeliads popped into existence around the bed.

Julieta frowned in concern and approached Isabela.

"C��mo te sientes, mi flor?" she murmured.

The young woman turned to her mother, an unimpressed look on her face.

"How do you THINK?" she snarked.

"I can't sleep, my head is pounding, my throat feels like it's being cut open, I'm all sweaty, and EVERY SINGLE TIME I cough or sneeze, my gift goes haywire!"

As if to punctuate her point, she entered into a coughing fit, causing more new flora to burst out of the floor. Julieta sighed and sat on the edge of the mattress, putting the plate of arepas beside her.

If there was one thing that hadn't changed from before the fall of Casita, it was the fact that being under the weather ALWAYS put Isabela in a bad mood.

"I'm sorry, Isa…trust me, I would cure you in an instant if I could. But the most I can do is ease your symptoms. Speaking of…would you like an arepa?"

Julieta took one from the plate and offered one to her daughter.

Isabela snatched the flaky confection from her mother's hand and eagerly took a bite…sighing in relief when she felt her chills vanish.

But to her utter confusion, her throat still hurt just as much as before. She quirked a displeased eyebrow towards the healer.

"Mamá…what gives? This didn't help NEARLY as much as last time…"

Julieta offered a weak smile.

"Lo siento…I'm just tired. I've been cooking a lot…"

Isabela's gaze softened a bit, seeing the exhaustion on her mother's face.

"Well, I suppose I can understand. Try and get some extra sleep tonight. The last thing this family needs is for you to get sick too…"

Ironic, considering I'm already sick… Julieta mused, before reassuring her eldest that she would and making her way back outside with the other arepas.

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She was halfway to Pepa and Félix's room when her nose started to run.

Balancing the plate on one hand she quickly fished a handkerchief out of one of her apron pockets with the other and gave a quick blow.

Ay…this is progressing quicker than I thought…but I can't stop now. I just need to get through today.

Pulling herself out of her thoughts, Julieta continued down the hall until she reached her sister's door. This time she knocked a bit louder, having a hunch the room would be chaotic with Pepa's weather more volatile than usual.

After a few seconds, the door opened, and Félix showed his rain-soaked form.

"Ah, Julieta! Checking up on everyone?"

The healer nodded.

"Sí. How's Pepa doing? May I come in?"

The stout man nodded and stepped aside, allowing the eldest triplet into the room. Closing the door, Félix turned back to Julieta and opened his mouth to answer her first query.

However, he was interrupted by a series of sneezes ringing through the air, and the weather inside changing abruptly from raining, to snowing, to hailing, and back to normal. He sighed.

"…Does that answer your question?"

Julieta gently put a hand on her brother-in-law's shoulder.

"It must be tough, seeing her like this…"

Félix nodded.

"I love mi esposa more than anything. If I could ease her suffering, I would…"

His dour countenance didn't last long, though, turning to the healer with a slight smile.

"…which is why you're here, isn't it? Vamos!"

Félix led Julieta to the queen-sized bed, where Pepa was trying to read one of her romantic novels.

It was proving to be quite difficult though, what with her pounding head, her bleary eyes, and- "ACHOO!" …her sneezing affecting her handle on the weather.

Luckily Casita had made her books waterproof. Pepa looked up at the sound of footsteps.

"Hola, Juli…" she sniffled, grabbing a handkerchief to blow her nose.

Julieta smiled softly and approached her sister, an arepa in hand.

"Hola yourself, Pepita."

The emotional woman fixed the healer with an unimpressed stare.

"You're only ten minutes older than me…do you HAVE to call me that?"

Julieta chuckled lightly. "It may be ten minutes…but that still makes you mi hermana menor."

She kissed Pepa on her forehead, frowning when she felt the feverish heat radiating from it.

"Ay…still burning. Here, you'd better eat this,"

Julieta handed the arepa to her sister, watching as she took a bite…and frowned slightly.

"My head still hurts…why does my head still hurt?" Pepa murmured, and turned to the healer concernedly.

"Are you feeling okay, Julieta?"

Julieta took a deep breath, trying not to feel guilty for lying to her sister.

"Por supesto. I am a little tired…but I've been cooking a lot…"

That explanation didn't seem to resonate with the middle triplet though; in fact, she seemed even more worried.

"Are you sure? That never stopped your gift from weakening before…not even when we were niños. Oh, Dios, if you're getting sick too…"

The more worked up Pepa got, the more the wind began to blow until Julieta put her hands on her shoulders to ground her.

"I'm not, Pepa. Lo prometo. And remember: too much stress will only prolong your recovery time…"

Pepa sighed in resignation.

"Lo sé, lo sé…you're right. Just…be careful okay? I don't want you running yourself into the ground again…"

"She's right, cuñada…you can't take care of everyone else if you don't take care of yourself first," Félix added.

Julieta smiled softly at the two.

"I'm fine. Trust me. If it makes you two feel better, I'll take a break soon. I just need to finish making my rounds."

She grabbed the plate of arepas and made her way to the door, looking back one last time at her sister and her husband.

"Que te mejores, hermana. Hasta luego."

And with that, the healer left the room, hearing Pepa sneeze once again, a rumble of thunder, and Félix offering her a handkerchief.

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Julieta decided to check on Dolores and Antonio next, and went towards the youngest Madrigal's room, having a hunch her sobrinos would be in the jungle environment.

They weren't ill (yet, at least), but Dolores had taken it upon herself to keep her littlest hermano entertained and away from the sick members of the family.

Which is good, considering how much I have on my plate already… Julieta thought.

Soon enough she reached her destination and opened the door, stepping into the magical room.

Closing it behind her, the healer turned back around and tried to spot Dolores and Antonio among the foliage.

Hm…no sign of them…

Julieta then tried calling out, remembering to be mindful of her throat.

"Toñito…? Dolores?"

After a few seconds, she could make out a reply.

"Over here, Tía!"

Julieta adjusted the plate of arepas in her hands, and went towards the call. She eventually pushed into a clearing where Dolores and Antonio were playing tag, with the younger laughing joyfully and riding on his jaguar Parce.

The game was soon put on hold when the duo noticed their aunt's presence. Dolores turned to her hermano, ruffling his curly hair affectionately.

"Why don't you continue playing with your animals, hermanito? I'll be right back after Tía Julieta and I finish talking," she suggested.

The five-year-old nodded.

"Okay, Lolo. But hurry up!" he requested, and urged for Parce to continue running.

Satisfied that Antonio would be fine for the next few minutes, Dolores walked over to Julieta.

"Hola, Tía. Making the rounds?"

The healer nodded.

"Sí, and I figured you would probably be hungry."

She handed her sobrina two arepas, one for her and her brother. Dolores nodded in thanks, before her face furrowed in slight worry.

"Gracias…speaking of, how's Mamá?"

"Still a bit feverish…but Félix is taking good care of her. I'm sure she'll be back on her feet in a few more days."

Julieta turned to gaze at Antonio, who was now carrying on a conversation with Pico the toucan.

"And…how's Toñito? Has he been exhibiting any symptoms?"

Dolores shook her head.

"No…and neither have I," she added, guessing what her aunt was going to ask next.

"Trust me, if either of us start getting sick, you'll be the first to know," she assured.

Julieta sighed in relief…then shivered and gave a light cough. Dolores gazed at her concernedly.

"Estás bien, Tía? You look pale…" she murmured.

"Sí, I'm fine…just tired…"

The second oldest grandchild crossed her arms, an unamused expression on her face.

"…I JUST heard your heartbeat increase. You're lying," she accused.

Figures, Julieta thought bitterly, that she would be the one to unravel my deception…we could never get a lie past her, not even when she was a niña…

She sighed.

"To be completely honest, Dolores…I'm sick too…"

Dolores' eyes widened.

"Then why are you still working…? You'll only make yourself worse, Tía…"

"Lo sé…but everyone still needs my help. I don't have time to rest…and my symptoms aren't THAT bad…"

Her niece let out a breath and shook her head in exasperation.

"Well, they soon WILL be if you don't slow down and rest. You're only human…you can't heal everyone, no matter how much you want to…"

Julieta winced at the reminders, not wanting to accept those facts yet.

"Listen, Dolores…I PROMISE I'll take some time to relax soon. I just need to check on the rest of the familia first."

Dolores gazed at her a moment longer…then reluctantly nodded.

"Okay…but I WILL be keeping an ear out for you. And I won't hesitate to tell Tío Agustín if you go back on your word."

She opened her mouth to continue…but was interrupted by Antonio's voice.

"Lolo! Are you almost done? You've been talking a while…"

"Coming, Toñito!" Dolores called back to her little brother.

She started walking away, then looked back one last time at Julieta.

"Remember what I said. Finish checking up on everyone…then go and rest. Please…"

And with that, the second oldest grandchild went to continue entertaining Antonio.

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The healer sighed as she started making her way out of the room, the following thoughts echoing through her skull.

I can do this…I NEED to do this…they need my help…

Eventually Julieta entered the hallway, shutting the door behind her and resting her back against it for a few seconds.

Ay…has Casita always been this cold?

She shivered again, and put a hand to her forehead, sighing when she felt the fire on her skin. Julieta was so occupied with how sick she was feeling that she never noticed someone approaching.

"Mija…?"

She jumped in surprise, and turned to see her mother.

"Oh, Mamá, are you okay?"

Alma looked at her eldest, a concerned look on her wrinkled face.

"Sí, for now…but are you? You look exhausted…"

Julieta put on a weak smile.

"I've just been cooking a lot. People need my help now more than ever…"

Her mother didn't look convinced.

"Are you sure that's all it is? You know you can tell me anything, mija…"

"Por supesto…but there's nothing else to tell."

Alma stepped forward in concern.

"At least take a break, Julieta? Remember, you don't have to prove anything anymore. The gifts don't define us…"

The healer straightened back up, a calm but determined expression on her face.

"Lo sé, Mamá, but people are still suffering. I want to help them. Ahora, discúlpeme..."

She started walking away, trying to ignore her mother's concerned gaze boring into her back.

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The next stop was Bruno's tower. Luckily, her brother wasn't sick either…but with his anxiety, he had ended up withdrawing into his room in an effort to stay well.

"Bruno?" Julieta called softly, knocking on the door.

A moment or two passed until she heard a soft voice on the other side.

"Sí, Juli…?"

The healer sighed in relief knowing that he was still okay, then got down to business.

"Have you eaten today? You need food…"

"Eh…not yet…but I will…later…when everyone's gone to bed…"

"Ay, Brunito…"

Julieta shook her head exasperatedly.

"Here…I can at least give you a few arepas. Can you open the door, por favor?"

She heard her brother gulp.

"N-no…I don't think that's a good idea…" he stuttered.

Julieta sighed, trying to think of a way to get her brother sustenance. At last, an idea popped into her head.

"How about this, then? You stand on the other side of the room, I open the door, leave the plate on the floor, and close it. You can then come over, take what you want, and go back over so I can retrieve the plate."

A brief silence passed…before she heard Bruno's voice once again.

"…That could work. Give me twenty seconds…"

Julieta heard her brother's footsteps recede, and started counting. As soon as she deemed the allotted time had passed, she opened the door.

She could just barely see Bruno at the other end of the hallway leading into his main room.

"Okay, hermanito…here's the plate. Be sure to leave a few for Camilo and Mirabel."

"Gracias, Juli! I'll knock when I'm done taking what I need…just give it twenty more seconds before coming back in…"

Julieta nodded, and went back outside, shutting the door behind her. As soon as she was shielded from view, she succumbed to the tickle in her throat and went into a heavy bout of coughs.

Each expulsion irritated her throat even more and left her breathless. At last, she managed to control her breathing…only to blanch when she heard her brother's voice once again.

"…Julieta? Are you…"

"No!" she burst out, a little too quickly.

"Something just tickled my throat, is all…"

She heard Bruno sigh.

"Hermana…you ALWAYS do this. You deny how you're feeling, telling everyone you're fine when you're clearly not…and end up passing out, worrying us all to death. Por favor, Juli…take it easy, just this once…"

Julieta narrowed her eyes and stood up straighter, forgetting for a moment that her brother couldn't see her.

"Bruno…you know I can't. The familia-"

"-wants you healthy! For once in your life, stop being so selfless!"

The healer sighed.

"…I need to check up on Camilo and Mirabel. Just…take the arepas you want, and I PROMISE I'll take a nap after."

She could almost feel Bruno shaking his head on the other side of the door.

"...You and I both know that that won't happen, Juli. Hopefully someone will be able to get through to you before it's too late…"

The knock resounded soon after, and after twenty seconds had passed, Julieta opened the door again and retrieved the plate.

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Moving on to Camilo's room, the healer softly opened the door. This flu had practically knocked her sobrino out, his fever blazing and painful bouts of shapeshifting whenever he coughed or sneezed.

Luckily he was sleeping now. Julieta approached the bed to see Camilo's pale face and listless hair.

She touched the rag on his forehead.

"Hm…needs to be soaked again…"

Taking the cloth, she dunked it in the bowl of cold water on his bedside table. After a few seconds, she wrung it out and tenderly lay it on her sobrino's forehead.

His eyes cracked open.

"Mm…too cold…" he murmured, trying to lift his left arm to remove it.

Julieta softly but firmly grasped his wrist before that could happen.

"No, Cami…leave it. Your fever needs to break…do you think you can manage an arepa?"

Judging by the way the shapeshifter's face contorted in disgust, she guessed that his answer was a resounding no.

"Okay…I'll just leave one on your nightstand."

She made eye contact to ensure he understood and put an arepa next to the bowl.

"Try and eat it soon…you need food, and it'll make you feel better…"

Camilo nodded softly and peered up at his aunt.

"…Sleep?" he asked hopefully.

Julieta smiled tenderly.

"Sí, vuelve a dormir…get well soon…"

She ran her fingers along his scalp until her sobrino's eyes drifted closed once again, and once she was satisfied he wouldn't stir, carefully crept into the hallway, and shut the door behind her.

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The last stop on the healer's journey was Mirabel's room.

Her youngest had remained healthy for a time, every waking moment spent helping her mother with her cooking and food distribution. It was only that very morning that the bespectacled girl awoke with the tell-tale symptoms.

Of course, being Mirabel, she still attempted to push through…but the second Julieta saw her pale face and felt the fever on her cheeks, she sent her straight back to bed. Luckily her youngest hadn't tried to sneak out like Luisa, a fact the healer was eternally grateful for as she knocked on Mirabel's door.

After Casita was rebuilt, the magical house had saw it fit to give the fifteen-year-old her own room, instead of relegating her to the nursery once again.

That wasn't to say the nursery didn't still exist; judging by the way Mariano and Dolores behaved, there were bound to be wedding bells in a few years, with their own children not long after. But that's beside the point.

After a few seconds of silence, Julieta heard a soft "Come in…"

Carefully turning the knob, she entered the room to see Mirabel in bed, trying to work on her embroidery.

"How are you feeling, mija?" she asked softly, sitting on the edge of the mattress and putting the plate beside her.

Mirabel turned her head to gaze at her mother.

"Eh…not too bad…yet, at least…" she amended when she saw Julieta's raised eyebrow.

"I mainly wish I could've helped you more…you've been going non-stop since this epidemic started…"

The healer smiled softly and ran a hand through her youngest's hair.

"Ay, Mira…you've helped plenty. I couldn't have finished half the food I did if it wasn't for you. Eres un milagro…but even miracles need assistance sometimes…"

She reached for an arepa and pressed it into Mirabel's hand.

The bespectacled girl gave a half-hearted smile and took a bite…only for a confused look to cross her face soon after.

"I feel less feverish…but…"

She trailed off as her eyes widened in realization.

"Mamá…? You're sick too, aren't you?"

Julieta tensed.

I've already admitted it to Dolores, and I'm pretty sure Bruno knows…but there's no way I'm burdening mi hija with this!

"Claro que no…I'm just tired…" she forced out.

Mirabel raised an eyebrow.

"Mamá…I KNOW you. I'm pretty sure you're where me, Isabela, and Luisa get our stubbornness from! Por favor…you need rest…"

Julieta took a deep breath to keep her agitated voice steady.

"Estoy bien, mi vida. Lo prometo. People need my help, and por Dios I'm going to give it to them. Now, excuse me…"

She quickly grabbed the plate, and stood up, fighting a sudden dizzy spell.

"Mamá, PLEASE-"

"Que te mejores, Mirabel…"

Julieta exited the room and shut the door behind her, starting to speed-walk down the hallway. With every footfall, her vision grew more and more blurry, and her balance more and more difficult to maintain.

Finally, it all came to a head. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed. Right before her consciousness faded, she discerned Agustín's panicked face above her…

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Warmth. That's the first thing Julieta felt as she came to.

Warmth…and softness. She groaned…and blearily opened her eyes.

Ay, my head…where am I?

Panning her gaze around from where she was lying, she realized she was in her and Agustín's bed. The healer tried to sit up…only to have a hand pushed to her chest, keeping her down.

Turning her head, she saw her husband's concerned face.

"Agustín…"

"Julieta…Dolores told me you were sick."

His face crumpled in despair.

"You're always so selfless, mi amor, and that's admirable…but you can't ignore your own health like that…do you know how worried I was?"

Julieta's face fell with guilt.

"Lo siento…"

Her husband looked away, trying to gather his thoughts…before turning to her once again.

"I love you too much to see you put yourself through this every day. You know you don't have to…"

"True…but old habits die hard. For forty-five years I've had this mindset, and it's all I've ever known. It may be too late for me…"

Agustín grabbed her hand and gazed lovingly into Julieta's eyes.

"No…it's not. The first step is always the hardest…and I'll always be right by your side to help you through it all…"

The healer smiled tenderly through her pounding head and achy body.

"Ay, Agustín…te amo…"

"Te amo también, Juli…"

He started stroking her hair, watching her eyes gently drift close once more.

"Sleep, corazón…I'll take care of you…"

[apple-death]

A~wkward

TW:None.

“CASITA I’M BAA~AACK!!”

Mirabel sung out much to Y/n’s chagrin. The girl held her head in hands as she died internally while being dragged by her arm into Casita’s courtyard, who, was very enthusiastic about the new visitor. 

Doors, tiles, and shudders started banging as the Casita called the rest of the Madrigals to the entrance, as well as notifying them that Mirabel was able to find the poor girl who just wanted to be left alone. 

“Miraaa!! You found them?!”

Camilo yelled as he bounded down the stairway. Soon, the other Madrigals in the house joined the three, brimming with curiosity about the girl who seems to be avoiding them.

Camilo grabbed Y/n’s hand and shook it vigorously.  

“Hiya! Names Camilo, do you wanna hangout later??”

Y/n just stood there confused and concerned as she slowly pulled her hand out of the energetic boy’s grip.

“No thank you.”

She politley replied. She turned her attention to the older sister he mentioned who quietly said hello to her, and Y/n gave a silent and brief wave back. 

“Oh! Hello again, how have you been so far?”

Julieta asked and Y/n just sent her a confused look.

“-When you fell? It was a pretty nasty fall, and you almost immediately recovered.”

“Because...you’re magic??”

Y/n replied, not understanding what Julieta was trying to say.

“Most people with broken bones usually have to take a nap later after being healed by my mom, but you kinda just popped right up after she healed you.”

Luisa explained, which startled Y/n as she didn’t notice the tall girl behind her.

“Oh, well I’ve always kinda been the type who just gets up after falling multiple times soooo...”

Y/n shyly explained when a beam of light appeared and a certain long haired Madrigal was lowered down by her vines.

“I heard our friend was here?”

Y/n saw Mirabel’s demeanor shift into one of disinterest and annoyance from the corner of her eye as the eldest child approached her.

“I hope you enjoyed your time in Encanto. I apologize if we came off too strong earlier.”

“It’s fine.”

“Hello! Nice to meet you! I’m Antonio.”

A high pitched voice coming from below made Y/n look down to see a small boy with poofy afro.

“Y/n.” 

Introduced herself to the young boy.

“Are you going to come to my gift ceremony?”

“Maybe. Depends on what I’m doing.”

“Thank you so much for bringing Mirabel home by the way, would you like to stay for dinner? As a way of saying thanks for bringing Mirabel home.” Julieta offered. The sun was just setting and the sky was lightly filled with an orange red hue.

“Thank you, but I need to get back before it gets too dark.”

“How close is your house?”

“Uh-” Y/n was about to lie when Mirabel pipped in.

“Far! It, uh took us a couple hours to get here soo...” Mirabel looked over to Dolores who nodded in support.

“I guess that settles it then.” Felix declared with a humoring smile.

“No no it’s alright. I have plenty of time to get home.” Y/n turned and took a few steps to the door when the tiles below her shifted to place her back in front of the Madrigal family.

“I’m not leaving until I say yes?” Y/n sighed out.

“Nope~” Camilo said smirked while leaning against Mirabel who also looked victorious.

Y/n sighed again while holding back a smile as she resigned to her fate and joined the family inside.

On the table Y/n could see that there was some Sancocho that she guessed was fish due to the smell, Carne a la Llanera, and some sides such as Papas Chorreadas, Ensalada Rusa, and some others.

Mirabel leads the girl to one of the side seats that the Casita’s pulled out for her and takes a seat right next to her while Camilo text the seat on the other side.

“Soo, Y/n right? Where do you live? Haven’t seen you around Encanto before.”

Calimlo asked as he served himself some Carne a la Llanera.

“I live in the mountains.”

“Which one? There are a lot around here.”

“I’d rather not say.”

“Why not?”

Y/n just stared at him deadpan.

“Because I don’t know you guys.”

“She has a point.” Felix commented as he took a spoonful of rice and Camilo just gave him an annoyed look.

“So do you have any hobbies? What kind of things do you like?” Mirabel questioned this time.

“I draw. And cook...I like thunder storms.”

“Oh?”

Pepa perked up at that while the whole family was confused. Why would someone like a thunder storm? They make the sun go out, make it too dark, and you can;t do anything while they go on.

“Why do you like storms?”

“I like the sound of rain and the rumbling of the thunder. I find them calming.”

“...Huh.” Isabela let out before she continued eating. Y/n was the first person they’ve heard of liking thunderstorms.

“Where did you learn to cook? The cake you gave me, it looked almost professional.” Julieta wondered from across the table.

“My mom. Her and I cook a lot.”

“What do you usually make?” Pepa piped in. They were really trying to keep this conversation going and find out something from their guest.Y/n shrugged at the question.

“I don’t know. It’s kinda a mix of stuff from all over the world.”

“You’ve been to other places in the world?”

“Not really. Just the cookbooks.”

“Oh.”

Silence filled the room with the occasional clinks and taps from silverware hitting plates and bowls.

“So what do your parents do? They weren’t with you when we found you.”

“That’s because I live alone.”

“But you’re so young? And the forest is a dangerous place.”

“I’ve been alright for five years I think I’ll be fine now.”

“FIVE YEARS???” 

The family exclaimed as they looked at Y/n in surprise. Y/n looked already looked young so her saying that she lived five years out here alone made them concerned that she didn’t have any family around.

“How have you survived for this long? I’ve never seen you at the market getting any food do you have a farm or something?” Pepa interrogated.

“Yeah? I have my own way of sustaining myself where I live.”

“What about when you get hurt? Badly?”

“I know first aid.”

“Why don’t you just go to my mom?” Luisa prodded.

“Why would I do tha..tha...EEAACHOO.”

Y/n  was cut off by a flurry of sneezes as they immediately got up and the Madrigals followed suit.

“I..have to...go..ehh...”

“What? It’s late and it’s going to be night pretty soon.” Julieta said as she walked around the table to see what was wrong with Y/n, but was held at arm’s length by her as she made for the door.

“Al..Al, Alhergies! It’s the flowers.”

“Oh!”

The Madrigals watched as Y/n hastily walked across the courtyard and to the door.

“Thank you for having me over, goodbye.”

Y/n briefly waved before slipping out the front door leaving the family to look as her running down the road to the forest, wondering if she was going to be okay and thinking that the whole dinner thing didn’t go as well as they liked.

“Hmph, she’s allergic to you.”

Maribel smirked at her sister to which the latter just rolled her eyes in annoyance.

<Previous/Next>

Table of Contents

@samarill

[mmollymercury]

I'm coming here to bother😇😇

How are you?

Do you have any artwork you think is underrated?

(So we can reblog)

AHHHGGG THATS SO SWEET😭‼️‼️‼️💖💖💖

Sorry it took me long to answer this! Life has been kinda busy lately. I've been preparing for uni and I'm in the process of applying to some now.

I'm doing pretty good today💕 one thing I'm glad to be relieved of is worrying abt getting encanto big bang stuff done. Thankfully the date was extended, yay!!! I'm really grateful because I want my work to be the best it can be x I'm so excited to see everyone else's finished pieces💗

The artwork question is such good idea!! So cute!!😭😭😭

Here's some art accounts I think all of you should check out! They're are primarily encanto fanart lolll... but check out the og blogs and look at their other stuff too x

With this list I'm trying to add ppl that I don't see talked abt that much, but really deserve the opposite💖

Let's get self promo out of the way first: here's some of my original character work, if you're interested: 💗 💕 💖 (I'm gonna be making a new pinned post soon, thats gonna catologe all my original work and fanart stuff, because I know original stuff gets lost in all the fan work.)

✨My OCs~~The Yvette-Verse✨

Yvette-Verse character lineup🌤

Yvette comic💫

~

My bestie isn't really active on tumblr, but you should all definitely check her out. She's got more stuff on her insta too:

Her tumblr▪︎@valentineee

Her insta▪︎Main- TrappedintheMorgue

Side- LazySlug

AS OF RN ALL THE ART HERE HAS UNDER 100 NOTES. PLS SHOW THEM LOVE, THEY DESERVE IT💗💗💗

~

YOU @lilrobinbird

Post link💕

It is insane that you don't have more eyes on you IT IS ACTUALLY CRIMINAL😤😤😤. your style is so intricate and painterly, it reminds me of old master's paintings. The way you draw features is so unique and cute, its so cool💕💖

@emi-g

Post link🐀

Look at this. The story, the detail, THE RATTIES

Their art is legitimately so gorgeous, sometimes, I can't believe it's traditional!

@azucareraart

Post link💫

Just... look at this art style, it literally always takes my breath away ITS BEAUTIFUL. So expressive and unique, I love it sm. They also have an encanto fanfiction too, it's set a few years in the future and is Mirabel x oc, I would never usually look for those stories on my own, since I'm not really into non canonical ships, but the art they made for it intrigued me and although I haven't read it in a while, from what I did read it was amazing. Really well written and descriptive!

@tortillafish

Post link🐁

Gender bent Bruno has my whole heart!! SHES SO KIN WORTHYYY😭 plus their style is so expressive and BEAUTIFUL💞💞💞

@kafeino (they don't want their art to be reposted, so I decided to just add the links x)

Antonio and his birdie😇 ▪︎ Camilo looking like a menace😈

They have a few encanto fanarts, all of them are so good and colourful! Like, look at the way they draw hands.... omg. But these ones are SEVERELY UNDERRATED. As of rn I think the Camilo one has 72 notes and the Antonio one has 47?? THATS AN INJUSTICE WTFFF????

@rats0ut

Post link🕯🕯

Post link🐉 this has 19 notes are you HAVING ME ON!!???

ALMA LORE!!! PLUS ANTONIO WITH ELDRITCH HORROR BEAST AND HES SO NONCHALANT ABT IT??? YESSSSSSSS. I really love their simple yet effective art style, it really inspires me to experiment with my style a bit 🥰🥰🥰

@fruit-goose (they don't want their art to be reposted, so I decided to just add the links x)

Queen Isabela🌸

This style... the colouring... the lines... no words, how does this only have 70 notes?!??😤😤😤😤😤😤😤

@camilleisdrawing

Post link💋👂

HOW THE HELL DOES THIS ONLY HAVE 20 NOTES???!!! WTFFF

The colours, the proportions, the expression, HER, I literally love it so much it makes my eyes happy. Op's style is so cool, I literally love it so much, so inspiring, makes me want to paint and experiment 🤩🤩💗💗💗

@summersofsalt (they don't want their art to be reposted, so I decided to just add the links x)

Pepa being badass🌩⛈

This style is just so cute, yet it can convey such strong, angry emotion. The colours and movement, PEPA’S EYES, it reminds me for some reason of lino printing. It's so cool!!

~

I really wish I could add more! This community is so talented and amazing💞 so feel free to add onto this post and @ some of your severely underrated faves💕💕

[pink02]

Torn Rauna

Camilo Madrigal x Reader

Genre: Fluff

Summary: Getting away from Señor Osvalo after a cheeky prank Camilo pulled, he slipped down the forest path and got caught up onto a tree branch which ripped his rauna. Panicked knowing his mother would kill him if he ruined his rauna, he quickly dashed to the nearest person who could help him fix his problem but was surprised another miracle was there.

Trigger warning: None just clumsy and slightly ooc Chameleon

A/n: Was inspired by an artwork that I found in pinterest and I would like to make a short story out of it. I think that this would be short. Could make it as a headcanon or draple idk. Didn't mention any specific pronouns, mostly just the word "you".

Also I'm not fluent in spanish nor is originally a spanish speaker. All words are translated in google. Excuse my grammar if there are any errors. Trying to fix it as much as I can.

Also might go hiatus after finishing a fanfic or two... idk

♡♡ Masterlist ♡♡

"Camilo! Get back here!" Señor Osvaldo shouts as he tried to pick up the fallen baskets right side up. The poor man had been pranked by a mischievous yellow chameleon.

The baskets were full of fruits and vegetables that were to be delivered to the market place. As Señor Osvaldo passed by, the Madrigal boy pulled up his trick by shapeshifting into multiple people scaring his donkey to which it was carrying the load. Doing so, the animal yelped and raised up both of its front legs startling the man who was riding it.

Camilo snickered running away then shapeshifts into a random person to blend into the crowd. He might get in trouble later but what's the point when he wants to have a little fun, don't you think?

The shapeshifter dashed down to a certain forest path, a shortcut he knows and sometimes used going back to the Casita. Shapeshifting back, he grinned and was already full of mischief. Ready to annoy out his cousins next, especially Isabella.

"Oh señorita princesa perfecta Isabella, how can I be so perfect as you? Teach me your ways." Camilo woed in a high pitched voice then laughs at his own joke, running down the path further.

Jumping and dodging over branches and rocks, he could already think that he's some kind of parkour guy or something making his way back home more exciting. As he was turned to a sharp corner, he felt like something grabbed him by the back making him fell onto his bottom. He hissed in pain and rubbed the sore part of his butt, turning around to what had caught him.

It was a tree branch, catching him by his rauna. He deflated and deadpanned. "Great."

Trying to stand up, he pulled his rauna off of the branch. "Come ooon..." he dragged and starts pulling a little harder. "I know I'm great and all, tree. But I have somewhere else to go!" He said to no one thinking he's having a conversation to a tree branch and tugged his rauna harder.

He pulled one last time with a great force as he digged his soles on the ground. Hearing a rip, he abruptly stopped but fell back as the branch unclung itself from his rauna. Stumbling to stand up, he checked himself from front to back.

"On no.. oh no, oh no no no, mierde!" Raising his voice from a whisper to a shout panicking as he clutched the torn part of his rauna.

His mom would kill him if she saw this! I mean well... he already made a mess in the village. He was probably already digging his own grave at this point. Taking off the piece of clothe, he looked around his surrounding in fear while thinking what to do. He stopped as he thought of the first person he knew who could help him. Mirabel!

Sprinting, he had finally arrived home while holding on to his rauna. He looked around inside, checkinv for his family if ever they would pass him by but seeing the coast is clear, he was safe.

Dashing up to his prima's room, he flung the door wide open with a bang. "MIRABEL." He shots making the person inside the room jump in surprise and releasing the items they were holding.

"Mirabel's not here..." the person slowly muttered deliberately picking up the fallen items. Sewing materials and cloths scattered around the room.

Simultaneously, the shapeshifter froze but stood up straight embarrassingly after frightening the person inside. He grinned sheepishly muttering a quick apology while his arms are behind him guiltily.

You were a friend of Mirabel, both fixated into embroidery and sewing thus she often asks you to come into the Casa Madrigal to hang out, to sew or sometimes just chat. Today, she invited you into her room as you two could make embroidery designs into your clothes but she was called by her mother to fetch a quick errand. That being so, she left you in the room likely to be with your own sewing.

"Can I help you, Camilo?" You asked as you turned to him finally settling in your items on a nearby desk. He was still glued by the door and was just looking at your frame.

He snapped briskly from his daze and stuttered. "I- uhm.. uhh... where's mi prima..?" He asked nervously while slowly looking up at you and scratching the back of his neck. You looked at him confusingly but answered curtly.

"She was asked to fetch a quick errand, why?"

"I was gonna ask if she could fix this." He strutted but stumbled towards you practically shoving his rauna in front of you. He yelped but gained his balance again, standing close to you with a sheepish smile.

You looked at him raising an eyebrow then back down at his rauna. Obviously seeing the large rip, you took it from his hands and dismissivly turned your back at him to grab a needle and thread.

"She's not here so might as well that I'll just do it for her." You said as you sat down on a chair holding his rauna while slipping the end of a thread into the needle hole. Camilo standing right behind you, looked over your shoulder obviously wanting to look at what you were doing.

"How did this happened?" You asked nonchalantly starting to sewing up the rip. The Madrigal boy basically sat on the floor, legs crossed while gazing up at you as you work.

He lightly groaned burying his face onto his hands kinda embarrassed to explain but mumbled uncomprehensive words. "What?" You asked again side eyeing him. Doing so, he slumped and sighed. "I ran away from Señor Osvaldo after pranking him then went to a forest path, got caught up by a branch and fell onto my butt. But but then when I tried to get up, I pulled my rauna hashly resulting it to rip." He mumbled while picking on his pants and resting his cheek on his palm.

"Karma." You snort at his demise then snuffled a giggle after hearing him mention but twice. He caught your word and looked up at you again with a glare.

"Whatever." He rolled his eyes looking away then slumped his posture again making you giggled lightly and shakes your head.

"Hey, at least it wasn't your butt pants that got caught up by the branch. That would be more problematic." You smirked at him then laughed as you saw the scowl on his face and the red that crept onto his cheeks.

Hearing all the mumbled native cursed words he mustered up, you just kept on laughing at his dismay.

"Are you done?" He asked already had enough with all the embarrassment. Obviously wiping a tear from your eyes you nod nonetheless. "Yeah." You spoke then cuts the end of the extra thread.

Both of you stood up as you proudly present it in front of him. The rip was barely visible, now that your careful sewing fixed it. Its like the rip was never even there in the first place.

"Try being more careful next time." You smiled softly at him placing a hand on his cheek while handing the rauna to him. He stared at you wide eye and mouth slightly agape to which making you giggle again.

Snapping out, he shook his head and blushed from your touch. He slowly opened his mouth to talk but then the door suddenly flung open harshly making you two jump.

"Hey! I'm back!" Mirabel shouts standing by the door.

You shot your head at her getting mad at the sudden door bang. "Would you guys stop-?!" As you were about to yell, the wood planks under Mirabel motioned wildly into a wave.

"Hey-! Casita! What's gotten into you?!" Mirabel frankly panicked trying to gain balance as she flung her hands around.

The planks increased its motions as if it was a retaliation saying; "STOP BANGING THE DOOR OPEN!"

You sighed.

A/n: #JusticefortheCasitadoors poor casita, their doors being flung open harshly. *sobs* Oh poor poor thing. *blows onto tissue*

A LOT OF ERRORS I KNOW GONNA PROOFREAD THIS. Cause i finished it at 1am hahhhahahhaha... *sips hot coco with a shaky hand*

[squiggly-mctwig]

Buckethead

A/N: Kamusta! This is my first ever fanfic I've ever written, so apologies if there are any mistakes and/or typos. This was requested by @sammyholins based my first encanto drawing here, so congrats on being my first requester! This was actually real fun to do and I got this done way faster than I expected lol. Enjoy!

Warnings: Tickle fic, my shitty jokes

Overall Summary: Bruno was being goofy with Mirabel earlier, and gets himself into a funny situation ( haha buckethead go brr ). Julieta helps him out, but he's due for some retaliation for disturbing her.

____________________________

A loud 'bang'.

"Aye!"

Another two followed.

"Ack! Dang it!"

        A hand finally found the wall making the side of the doorway, and gripped it tightly. Bruno sighed loudly with relief and noticed the familiar scent of arepas being cooked in the room. He'd gotten himself into quite a situation, and needed some assistance.

"Julieta? You in here? I need your help with uh, something."

A 'hold on!' came from the room, as a few seconds went by before Julieta looked up to see him. The sizzling of the stove quieted down just a bit as the scent of the food lingered a little longer.

"What is it do you nee-"

Julieta let a very small, yet noticeable, snicker slip out as she attempted to muffle it, admittedly poorly, with her hand. She took another couple of seconds to compose herself, finding the situation hilarious.

Before her stood Bruno, with a rusty bucket stuck to his head as he himself tried to recompose after running into the wall multiple times with no current sight to guide him.

Apparently, he was being a little goofy with Mirabel with the whole 'Jorge make the spackle' while trying to fix a broken floor tile, and accidentally got his head stuck.

"Hohow did you-?"

"Help me! It's not that funny!"

"I would like to beg to differ."

"Julieta!"

"Alright alright, I'll help! You're going to have to tell me how you even got into that in the first place, though."

Julieta looked at the bucket for a moment to figure what to do. Her first move was to put a hand on the handle on the bucket, placed right under Bruno's chin. Her other hand went to the back of the bucket's inner rim, her hand brushing against his neck as she passed to reach it.

"Do you think we should ask Luis-ahAHahAh?!" Bruno let a surprised laugh escape his lips, the moment when her hands made contact with his neck, tickle like hell.

It instantly clicked for Julieta what she did, her smile slightly turning into a smirk. She decided to tease him a little before getting the bucket off.

"What's so funny?" she said.

"Nothing nothing-  just thought of something, a joke. Yeah! a joke." Bruno said, a quiver of embarrassment wavering his voice. Thank god the bucket hid his slight red-ish face.

"You sure? What joke? You seemed surprised."

"I'm sure!"

Julieta rolled her eyes with a smile. "Yeah, yeah." She gripped the bucket just a bit tighter, ready to free her hermano from this evil, metal embodiment of pure agony ( ooOooOoOo ). "Alright, on the count of three I need you to push the bucket up. Ready?" Bruno nodded. "One! Two! Three!"

Bruno pushed it upwards and Julieta pulled the same way. The bucket was a little more difficult to remove than she originally thought, using a little more force. Eventually it did come off, Bruno's hair at the top a complete mess and tangled.

Bruno's face light up a bit, his eyes squinted trying to adjust to the light in the room. "Gracìas! It was stuck on there a little for than I expected." He placed the bucket down on the floor beside him.

Julieta chuckled. "You're welcome, Bruno. Just try not to get yourself stuck in another situation like that, more specifically a bucket." A few moments of silence passed, then Julieta's head popped with an idea.

"You know, I was very busy making those arepas. I think you deserve a bit of retaliation for disturbing me." Her voice dripped with playfulness, her fingers wiggling in the air, threatening to strike at any second as she approached closer and closer each second.

Bruno was confused for just a moment, until he saw her hands raise in the air. His eyes widened in surprise and bolted out the kitchen faster than Sonic running away from his problems.

"Wait Wait WAIT! NohOho!" Bruno was already giggling in anticipation. Julieta caught up rather quickly, grabbing him by the wrist and going straight for it. She skittered her fingers under his arms, resulting in a loud squeal emitting from him.

"Kch-! WaHAhaIT! JULIETAHAHAahHa! IhihiT TIHIHICKLES!" He started bucking out his legs, despite standing. He slowly lowered to the floor, now kicking freely as Julieta followed after. Surprisingly, he didnt try to suppress his laughter this time.

Julieta sat down at his side and teased him, in turn making Bruno's face go a darker shade of red."I bet it does, you goof! I'm tickling you!" She slowed her hands, slowly lifting up his ruana, and started to hover them over Bruno's belly, waiting for a reaction.

And well, she did get one. He took a few seconds to take a breath, looking back at her hands wondering why she'd stopped, only to panic seeing where they were. Bruno tried reasoning with her, which of course was a failed attempt.

"Nohoho..Julieta please- Don't you dare..don't you daraERAAHAHAHAAAhAAA!" Julieta tricked her poor brother and dived down her head for a long, tickly raspberry right on his worst spot. Bruno's laughter jumped between loud belly laughter, to snorts, to squeals, and to sputtering, frantic giggles, all in ten seconds flat, in that order. She switched to shorter and faster raspberries all over his belly, her hands tickling his sides in the process. Bruno was quickly sent back into hysterics by this.

"Apologize for disturbing my cooking and I'll stop! Unless.. you dont want me too." Again, Julieta teased him, obviously not actually annoyed he'd asked her for help. The whole thing was just too funny to pass up, in her opinion.

"NOHOhaHAhahA! IHI WOHOHONOhOn'T!" Bruno didn't want it to stop, at least not yet. He was glad to be back and spending time with his family, especially his sister. He had missed them dearly, and this was fun anyways! Of course he wouldn't admit that.

Julieta shrugged, "Ah well, prepare yourself, hermano!" She once again prepped her head above his belly, sucking in a comedically huge breath. What made the difference and Bruno think twice was that she had her hands now hovering over his lower ribs, a second deathly spot. His sides were all not that bad, but his ribs and belly being a combo were sure to end in him screaming.

And it did.

"Any last words, Brunito?" Julieta asked.

Bruno replied, a bit of stubbornness staining it. "Still nohot sorry."

Julieta made an audibly offended gasp, took another breath in, and did the longest raspberry she'd ever striked on someone. Her fingers dug and wiggled between each of Bruno's ribs, occasionally tweaking one or two.

Bruno's throat let out a loud, scream of laughter, silent laughter soon following. He arched his back upwards, only leaning into her tickles. He had no idea what to do with his hands at the moment and resorted to just pulling up his hood quickly to cover his bright, red face.

As soon as he fell into silent laughter, Julieta slowed her tickling assault on him to let him breathe. Bruno's hair was an absolute mess and his face was beet red under his hood. She let him breathe for about a minute before asking him the original question.

"So, are you sorry now?"

Bruno took a couple of seconds to respond, his voice still residing in giggles. "Yeheahah..yeahhahh.."

His sister ruffled his hair, and stood up. Julieta offered him a hand, as he took it and got up as well.

"Come on, bucket head. I got some food if you're hungry."

Bruno shot her a glare for the nickname, proving not really effective considering he was laughing his arse off just a minute ago. The glare quickly faded as he noticed a smell in the air.

"Hey, uh, Julieta? Do you smell smoke?"

Julieta whaffed in the air for a few seconds, her eyes widening in shock.

"Ay Dios mío! Bruno! The arepas!"

They looked at each other in alarm, both darted towards the kitchen, following the scent of smoke.

Bruno called not too far from behind her, sarcastically yet actually questioning in his voice. "So what ever happened to me getting some arepas?"

"Bruno!"

____________________________

  A/N: Thanks for reading this fic! This was my first shot of ever writing and it was much more fun than I expected. Also wanted to say that there was alot more support on my previous encanto drawing than I expected, and just wanted to thank you all!

A/N 2: Dont worry, Bruno gets some arepas

[thetombedspirit]

Encanto: the Series Theories

After hearing the possibilities of an Encanto series, I immediately hopped on board the train and began thinking of a possible overlaying threat or villain that the family will have to fight against in order to protect the Encanto. So here's my theories.

Theory #1: some magical threat will come to the Encanto

Okay, so either some bizarre force, either a lone entity like Teka from Moana or an entire pack of them like the Drunn from Raya, that tries to break into the village and cause havoc, be it for sadistic desires or simply because it's hungry, maybe it’s even after the Candle itself, because magic. Regardless, the magic of the Gift is the only thing that can counter it so they have to figure out what they are and drive them out.

Theory #2: A secret love child of Bruno's seeks to take the Madrigal family out.

This is a personal favorite of mine. A child who feels that they've been abandoned by their father(Bruno) and wants to destroy everything he holds dear, namely the family he just got back. And this kid somehow has a gift as well, but it is super destructive and they liken it to more of a curse instead. Mirabel and Bruno will try to get through to them and bring them into the family. Either they do half way, either they do at the last minute before loosing them, or they just don't ever go to the light side.

Theory #3: the attackers that killed Abuelo Pedro come to conquer the Encanto.

A simple but interesting idea to kick off the series with a bang, bringing an enemy that took their Abuelo away and technically caused all of their familial trauma in the first place would be an interesting enemy. Not to mention is could bring more to the table in terms of Abuela and her trauma and how it effected her family.

With the possible theories out of the way, I want to talk about how the Madrigal Family could become stronger in terms of fighting these enemies. I mean, if Isabela’s powers could grow beyond making flowers, than why not have Camilo shapeshift into an animal as opposed to a person, or have Pepa learn to choose what weather to project in order to protect her family. And I would love to see Bruno control a whole sand storm if it meant protecting Mirabel from an enemy.

Anyway, that’s all I wanted to bring to the table. Hope you like it and let me know what you think! See ya!

[justanisabelakinnie]

Camilo’s Transformation

Part II here 

Isabela didn’t know what the fuck was going on. 

One minute Camilo was all sweet as shortcake, helping out and being nice to everyone, taking care of Dolores when she was sick, hanging out with Mirabel, etc. Stuff like that was normal for him, and for her too. Isabela was used to Camilo being a nice person! And yet something in him changed today that for some reason, made him act like...this. 

It started last Monday afternoon, Isabela noticed, as usual, that her makeup was stolen, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. It was only when she went to Camilo’s bedroom door did she notice that the doorknob was missing. So she did what any rational young woman would do. She grew a cactus and used it to destroy Camilo’s door. But unlike usual, Camilo didn’t care. He was too busy dabbing at makeup in the mirror, making sure he perfectly got the emo look down pat. Not to mention his hairstyle. For some reason he was trying to cover one eye with his hair, almost as if he was trying to create bangs but failing miserably. Isabela didn’t understand what this was about, but as Camilo was a teenager, she let him be. 

But his hair and makeup weren’t the only things that changed. His attitude did too. Isa didn’t understand why he was so snippy. 

“Camilo!” Mirabel ran up to Camilo from behind, the boy not even looking her way. “Surprise Sneak Attack!” she yelled, before pouncing on him and wrapping her arms wildly around his neck in a suffocating embrace, twirling around midair as she laughed and giggled, forcing him to twirl around as well. When she finally lowered herself to the ground, she hugged Camilo normally and kissed his cheek. “Hey Cami, how are you doing?” 

But Camilo’s reaction surprised her. Looking at Mirabel with disgust, he snorted. “Leave me alone, Mirabel, I don’t even have any business talking to you.” 

Mirabel froze and blinked, before her shocked expression wormed its way into a grin and she began laughing at this. “Oh Camilo, you’re such a funnyman! Jajajaja!” She punched him in the shoulder and didn’t notice him staggering back. Isabela had to force herself not to laugh. “No but seriously you wanna go to the park after breakfast, we can play football or fly a kite or entertain the little kids and their play, I hear they’re doing Blancanieves, what do you say--” 

“NO, Mirabel, just get away from me!” Camilo grunted, resisting the urge to snicker at how funny this all was, as Mirabel’s expression saddened for real. He wanted to comfort her, but he was also having too much fun seeing how long this bad boy charade would last. “I don’t have time for you and your stupid childish adventures. I have more mature things to concern myself with.” 

“Oh yeah?” Mirabel hiccupped, her eyes pooling with tears as she resisted the urge to sob. “L-like...like what?” 

“Like pondering the meaning of life,” Camilo came up with. “Or why I was placed on this miniscule blue dot known as a planet on this vast black atmosphere. Or y’know, flirting with the hot fellas and ladies in the town.” 

“I thought you didn’t like flirting...” Mirabel said, but Camilo held up a hand to silence her. 

“Ugh, whatever, see, I knew you wouldn’t understand.” Camilo tossed his hair back in a pathetic attempt to flip it back, but unfortunately for him that didn’t work, so he just shook his head violently. “Anyway, see you around, or not.” 

“Wait, but Camilo--” 

“And don’t call me Camilo.” Mirabel just stared at him, wide-eyed and stunned. 

“B-but--” 

“My name--” Camilo glared at her darkly with the one non-obscured eye. “--is Carlos now. So get it right, Mariposa.” 

“...I’m not calling you that.” 

“Like I need your approval anyway.” Camilo turned his back to Mirabel and crossed his arms. “Just get out of my sight already, Maribel, I’m sick of looking at your face.” 

That’s when Mirabel full-on started crying, unable to hold the tears back any longer. “My name...is MIRABEL!” was her last exclamation before running off to go grab some tissues. 

Isabela sighed, ready to go comfort Mirabel before she saw Camilo crouch over laughing hysterically like a hyena. 

“JAJAJJAJA she totally fell for it!” 

And she realized... 

Today was going to be a very LOOOOONG day. She was sure of it. 

@ribbonspice

[ravenscat-tumbler]

I Will Always Come Back to You

Basically the 12x10 Lily Sunder has Some Regrets episode with some tweaks to make it more destiel with LOVE CONFESSIONSSSSSSS and a whole lotta hurt. So if you like drama and that episode you are gonna love this fic. I hope...

AO3 Link

Dean wasn’t angry, he was worried. Sam got that. Cas got that and even Dean himself got that. The way he decided to express that though, was not understood. Not by Sam and not by Cas.

This made Castiel angry which, in turn, made Dean angry and now here they were not talking to each other and acting like kids. It was poor Sam who was stuck in the middle of it all.

They were all awkwardly sitting in the car and Sam was fed up with the silence.

“Alright, who wants music?” He asks, reaching over to turn the music on.

Dean’s “I’m good.” Stopped him in his tracks.

“You’re… mhm, okay.” He sighs.

Another couple of seconds of silence before he turns around to look at Cas.

“Cas.”

Castiel’s eyes shoot to look over at him.

“Is there anything specific we should know about your friend?” Sam asks.

Castiel doesn’t answer.

Sam sighs exasperatedly, “Alright.” He squeezes the bridge of his nose, leaning his elbow against the window. “Guys, you know what? Th…this silent treatment thing, it’s silly. It’s not gonna work.” He pointedly looks over at Dean. “Whatever we are walking into we should, you know, probably have an actual plan.” He looks back over at Dean.

Dean ignores him and Castiel sighs in the back, rolling his eyes.

“What do you wanna know?” He asks

“Oh, he speaks.” Dean says, sarcastically.

“Uh, enough.” Sam holds up his hand.

Cas squints an annoyed little look at the back of Dean’s head and turns towards Sam to listen to what he was saying.

“Cas, you said when you heard Benjamin, he was screaming.”

“It was ah… look Benjamin wouldn’t call for help lightly, he wouldn’t put himself in harm’s way if he could help it.” Cas says looking around.

“Wow, this Benjamin seems like he’s pretty cool like he wouldn’t make any half-cocked, knee jerk choices.” Dean says, voice rising as he got towards the end.

“Yeah, you know what I like about him is that he is sarcastic, but he’s thoughtful and appreciative too.” Cas says.

“And what is that supposed to mean?” Dean asks, turning his head around to look at Castiel, not caring about getting into an accident and killing them all.

A horn blares loudly and Sam grabs the wheel quickly.

“Okay, okay! Road! Road Dean! Watch the road.” Sam says quickly.

Dean turns back around and waves him off.

“I got it.”

“Anything else Cas?” Sam asks.

Castiel explains everything else and they head over to a motel for the night, since they couldn’t go to the crime scene at this hour.

*

Sam gets his own room and leave Cas and Dean to work out their mess. Which they probably wouldn’t.

Once they enter, Dean realizes Sam got them one queen, and it wasn’t a very big queen either.

“Oh, that fucker.” Dean exclaims angrily.

He barges out of the room and goes to the reception to ask for a room change where the lady proceeds to tell him that they had no other rooms, other than single queens left. He grumbles a ‘thanks’ and goes back to the room where Castiel was stripping off his layers.

He slams the door behind him and Castiel turns to look at him.

“I’m gonna go take a shower.” Dean says.

Cas just nods.

*

By the time Dean had finished his shower and came out he saw that Castiel was awkwardly laying on the small couch.

Dean sighs, sure he was angry at Cas but he also loved him and didn’t want the poor guy to kill his back.

“Cas.” He says softly.

Cas turns to look at him.

“There’s enough room on the bed for the both of us.” Dean says. There barely was but they could still fit.

“Is that your way of apologizing?” Cas asks.

“I have no need of apologizing for anything!” Dean exclaims loudly.

“Really? You expect me to apologize?” Cas asks, sitting up.

“You should!” Dean yells out.

“For what, Dean? What is it that you think I should be apologizing for? For killing Billie? For saving you? Because I don’t see any reason for me to apologize. I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving you!” Cas says, voice slowly rising.

Dean sighs, “Cas… man… when someone says there will be cosmic consequences of a deal not happening I don’t think that’s a good thing.”

“Then I’ll deal with it, Dean!” Cas says, standing up.

“I DON’T WANT YOU TO DEAL WITH IT!” Dean yells.

Someone bangs on the wall from the other side.

“I don’t want you to deal with it, I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Dean says, quieter this time.

Cas walks over to Dean, who’s no longer looking at him.

“It’ll be okay, Dean.” Cas says, placing his hand on his shoulder.

“What if it’s not?” Dean asks in a quiet whisper.

“We’ll be fine. We always are.” Cas says pulling Dean into a hug.

“I hate you for this.” Dean whispers out, resting his head on Castiel’s shoulder and holding him tightly.

“I know, but I’m not sorry. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“I know you wouldn’t.”

They stand there for a while before Dean lifts his head up.

“Come to bed.” Dean says.

Castiel nods and follows Dean into the bed.

*

The next morning Dean was back to not talking to Castiel.

“Dean? Really? Are you serious?” Cas asks, exasperatedly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Dean says.

“I hate it when you give me mixed signals like this. I don’t understand.” Cas says, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

Dean just grins at him and leaves the room after getting his stuff.

*

When the time came to meet Ishim, Castiel tells Sam and Dean to wait outside.

“Wow, wait. Excuse me?” Dean asks, confused.

“Ishim said to come alone, he doesn’t like… humans.” Cas says.

Dean shakes his head and raises his hands in question.

Castiel sighs, “If I plan to do anything else stupid, I’ll let ya know.” He says as he walks into the restaurant.

Sam turns to Dean with a confused look and his mouth hanging open.

“What the hell did you say to him last night?” Sam asks.

Dean rolls his eyes and turns away.

“And your gonna storm in, righttttttttt…” Sam starts, leaning on the Impala.

Dean looks at him briefly before turning around and starting to walk.

“Now.” Sam says following after him.

Dean spots Castiel on the bench and smirks.

“Hey.” He says.

“Dean.” Castiel says, sounding done.

“I’ll give you mixed signals.” He whispers to himself.

“I felt a little left out over there.” Dean says as he sits himself down, right on Castiel’s lap.

Castiel’s eyes widen along with everyone else’s at the table. Sam hides a smile and sits down beside them.

“I said to come alone.” Ishim says, opening another packet of sugar and putting it in his coffee.

“These are my friends. My friends who don’t listen very well.” He says, glancing up at Dean who had made himself comfortable on Cas.

Dean smiles down at him and runs a hand through Castiel’s hair, scratching at the back of his head lightly.

“Hey, how you doing? I’m…” Sam starts.

“We know who you are.” Maribel says, cutting him off.

“Check if there are others?” Ishim tells her.

She nods and leaves.

“I only brought Sam and Dean.” Cas says.

“As far as you know.” Ishim says, glancing up at Cas and then disgustingly at Dean, who frowns.

“Who wants some pie?” Dean asks, purposely squirming in Castiel’s lap.

Castiel discreetly grabs Dean’s waist to stop him from moving.

“You know, when I knew Castiel, he was a soldier.” Ishim says, pouring another packet of sugar into his coffee. “He was a warrior.” He continues, looking up at Sam, “He was an angel’s angel. Now look how far he’s fallen.” He gestures to Castiel while opening another sugar packet.

Castiel quietly looks at Ishim as he talks and Dean and Sam frown at Ishim.

“How about a little coffee with that sugar.” Dean retorts.

He looks up into Sam’s eyes and then Dean’s. Dean has a hard look on his face, not liking to hear anyone talk bad about his angel.

He drops his eyes down to Castiel, “No wings, no home, just a ratty old coat and a pair of poorly trained monkeys.”

Castiel looks away, dropping his head. Dean didn’t like that one bit. Who was Ishim to talk to Castiel like that.

“Oh, well, you can go to hell.” Dean says.

Ishim smirks.

Dean feels Castiel squeeze his waist tightly before he hears him say, “Dean, it’s fine.”

Dean clenches his teeth. No, it wasn’t.

“No, It’s not.” Sam says, speaking Dean’s mind.

“Sam, this isn’t about me, it’s about Benjamin.” Cas says.

“Now that, is refreshingly accurate.” Ishim says. “And since you brought a couple extra people to our chit chat, we should somewhere more private. I have a safe house nearby.”

Ishim gets up and pulls out his wallet. He pulls out a couple of bills and throws them down in front of Dean.

“I’ll go get Mirabel. So nice to see you, old friend.” He says smirking slightly. “Have some pie.” He says, gesturing to the table as he walks away.

“Wow.” Sam clears his throat as he moves to the other side of the table.

Dean still doesn’t get off Castiel’s lap.

“Hell of a friend, Cas.” Sam says.

“Why do you let him talk to you like that?” Dean asks.

“If Ishim can help me find whoever killed Benjamin, then I have to…”

“Okay, look, I…I get that we need super dick there, but, I mean, come on.” Dean says, shifting in Castiel’s lap again.

“The angels I served with are being killed, so I will put up with Ishim. I will put up everything else and so will you. I have to go.” Castiel says. He scoots to the end of the table with Dean still on him and then easily lifts him and moves Dean off himself before standing up and heading towards the exit.

Dean watches him go, head swarming with thoughts.

*

After the entire incident with ‘patches’ as Dean likes to call her they end up in an abandoned church.

“Ishim, how is she still alive?” Cas asks him.

“Wait you know her?” Sam asks, confused.

Cas explains everything to Sam and Dean and Dean is shocked. He never thought that Cas would be able kill an innocent child.

“Cas, you, uhm…”

“We completed a mission.” Cas says, trying to leave what he had done unsaid.

“Some mission.” Dean says.

Cas looks at the shock in Dean’s eyes.

“It was horrific, but it was necessary. It was right.” Cas says, pleading for Dean to understand.

“If you say so.” Dean says, not looking at him.

“What about the women?” Sam asks.

“Lily Sunder.” Ishim says.

He explains everything and Dean speaks up.

“Alright, but we’ll find her. Me and Sam.”

“No, Dean.” Cas wouldn’t let Dean come in harm’s way.

“Cas, she doesn’t care about us, okay? She’s gunning for you guys.” Dean says.

“Yeah, maybe we could reason with her.” Sam says.

“Uh four dead angels indicate that perhaps she is not reasonable. If she has this dark power, it will take all of us to fight her.” Cas says. “And I need to heal your wound.” He says turning to Ishim.

“Wait a second, Cas. Her family was murdered. I… I mean I know you were just doing a job but-“

“Are you saying those angels deserved to die?” Cas asks

“What?” Sam asks.

“You think I deserve to die?” Cas asks, looking expectantly at Sam.

“No!”

“No, no. That’s not what he’s saying.” Dean says, interrupting them.

“Then what is he saying?” Cas asks turning towards Dean.

“I’m saying that if we find her then maybe we can explain to her that you’re different now, you know?” Sam says.

“Sam, that won’t work. She won’t quit.” Cas says.

But Sam and Dean are persistent and they go to find her.

*

Ishim tries to fill dirt up in his mind for humans but Castiel ignores him.

Cas heals Ishim and it takes a lot more out of him than he expected. He feels light headed and sits down, whereas Ishim is feeling great and jumping around doing pushups.

Castiel glares at him as he watches.

*

Dean and Sam learn the truth about what actually happened with Lily and her family and what Ishim had done. Dean gets worried about Castiel.

He calls and gets no answer. He goes to check up on him leaving Sam with Lily.

*

Dean enters the Church and looks around. He spots Castiel with his head resting against his fist.

“Cas??” He rushes over to him.

Cas lets out a breathless groan as he turns to look at Dean. Dean sits down on the couch beside him.

“Hey. You okay?” He asks.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He says shaking his head, looking completely wiped. “And Ishim is fully recovered.”

Dean looks away from Cas and looks around the room worriedly.

“Yeah, okay…” Dean says. “Maybe wish you hadn’t done that just yet.”

“Wait, why?” Cas asks.

“This Lily chick? She says that her daughter was human. I think Ishim… I think he’s just playing you.” Dean says, keeping an eye on Castiel’s facial features. He drops his hand from the back of the couch to Castiel’s shoulder.

Castiel looks down to his lap.

“You’re back. What’s new?” Ishim says from the doorway.

Both Dean and Castiel’s eyes shoot over to Ishim.

Dean’s mouth forms an ‘O’ shape as he thinks ‘fuck we’re in trouble’.

Castiel leans forward and places a protective hand on Dean’s thigh, grounding him.

Dean closes him mouth and swallows hard.

“Is it… is it true, Ishim?” Castiel says.

Dean looks over to Cas when he starts talking and see’s he’s standing up.

Dean grabs his arm and helps him up.

“Is what true?” Ishim asks.

“Lily Sunder’s daughter? Was she human?” Cas asks, walking closer to him.

“Who told you that?” Ishim asks.

Dean moves behind Castiel.

“She did.” Dean says. “Said you were pretty obsessed.”

“Well, she’s a liar.” Ishim says as he walks over to them.

“Why would she lie?” Cas asks.

“She’s human. It’s kinda of what they do.”

“Well if she’s a liar, she’s pretty good at it. You on the other hand, kinda of suck.” Dean says, casually.

Ishim ignores Dean and walks up to Castiel, “Who are you gonna believe? You’re brother? Or some filthy ape who’s always talking down to you, always mocking you?” He says, gesturing to Dean.

Castiel glances black at Dean and then back at Ishim, tilting his head in confusion.

Dean rolls his eyes, “You know, Cas and I might not agree all the time but at least he knows who his real friends are.”

Cas looks at Dean while he talks and then turns back to Ishim.

“Why do his words bother you so much, Ishim?” Castiel asks with a tilt to his head and eyes squinting.

“Who is he to question my choices?” Ishim asks, gesturing to Dean while he looks at Cas. “Who’s he to question yours?”

“Well, it seems that some of my choices may need to be questioned.” Castiel says as he walks towards Ishim. “Now, tell me. The girl, was she human?” Castiel asks angrily.

“Oh, you’re not gonna like the answer.” Ishim says.

Dean pulls out an angel blade and goes for Ishim.

Ishim merely waves his hand, causing Dean to go flying into a wall.

Castiel watches as Dean falls to the floor with a thud and he turns on Ishim ready to attack. Ishim avoids his fist and punches him. Castiel lands on the floor and Ishim grabs him and hauls him up.

“I used to envy you, Castiel. You believe that?” Ishim punches him again.

Castiel uses all the force he could muster and head butts Ishim. Ishim lets out a grunt at the impact.

Dean watches and quickly cuts his hand, drawing the angel banishing sigil on the wall.

Ishim shakes his head to clear it, “You survived hell. You were chosen by god.” He punches Cas again. “Now look at you. You’re just sad and pathetically weak.” He punches Cas once more before letting him go. Castiel’s head rolls back and he groans.

“So now…” Ishim says, fixing his tie. “I’m gonna help you. I’m gonna cure you of your human weakness, same way I cured my own.” He lets his angel blade drop into his hand. “By cutting it out.” He moves and goes towards Dean.

Dean looks up at him and Ishim stops when he sees the sigil on the wall.

“Don’t move.” Dean says.

“Do it.” Ishim says, “You blast me away. You’ll blast every angel in the room.” He says, gesturing to a bloody Castiel, who was watching them. “I’ll survive. Castiel, on the other hand, he’s hurt.”

Dean’s eyes go to Castiel as he listens to Ishim.

“He might live or he might just end up a bloody smear on the wall. Roll the dice.”

Dean clenches his teeth and drops his hand from the wall.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Ishim says.

Ishim goes over and grabs Dean by the neck, hauling him up.

Dean tries to swing the angel blade at him but he grabs it and throws it away.

Dean grunts as he’s thrown to the floor beside Castiel.

He rolls his head to look at Castiel’s bloody face, hoping it wasn’t the last time he would get to see it.

Castiel watches him, struggling to get up.

“I love you.” Dean says.

Castiel’s eyes widen at the admission.

“Oh, you love him, do you?” Ishim asks, hauling Dean up by the shirt and punching him. Dean groans at the impact. “Don’t you feel bad lying to him?”

“I’m not lying.” Dean grunts out.

“This is exactly what I’m talking about, Castiel. They’ll tell you they love you and then find someone else to screw in the next instant.”

Ishim grabs Dean and turns him so Dean’s back is to his chest. He wraps his arm around Dean’s neck and places the tip of his angel blade against his carotid artery.

Dean gasps as he feels a pinch.

Castiel uses all his strength and stands up.

“Get off him!” He growls out.

“You love him too, don’t you?” Ishim asks Cas.

“I said get off him!” Cas says venomously.

“Answer me!” Ishim yells out, pressing harder against Dean’s neck making him yell out.

“Yes! Yes! Don’t hurt him.” Cas says quickly.

“You’d do anything for this human, wouldn’t you?”

Castiel hesitates.

“Wouldn’t you?!” Ishim asks, pressing the blade tighter against his neck again.

“Yes!”

“You would still love him, even when he fucks you over and finds someone else?” Ishim asks.

Castiel pauses, he would. He knew he would.

“I would never do that!” Dean gasps out.

“I WANT YOUR ANSWER CASTIEL! YOU KNOW HE WOULD! THAT’S WHAT THESE HUMANS DO. FIND SOMEONE ELSE AND LEAVE! WOULD YOU STILL LOVE HIM?!”

Castiel nods, “I would, I would still love him.” Castiel says.

Dean’s eyes fill with tears. Hearing to what extent Castiel loved him.

“This is why we need to get rid of him. Do you understand?” Ishim says, digging the blade into Dean’s skin.

“NO!” Castiel yells, there is a sudden flash of light and Ishim’s blade flies across the room.

Dean elbows Ishim in the stomach and moves away from him.

Castiel walks over to him and places his hand on Ishim’s head. He gets a rush of energy, enough for him to smite Ishim.

Ishim falls to the floor, eyes burned out and dead.

Castiel collapse beside him and Dean runs over to him.

“CAS!” He grabs Castiel and lays his head down in his lap. “Cas! Open your eyes. Please, just open your eyes for me. You can’t just tell me you love me and then die on me! Open your eyes!” Dean sobs out.

Just then Sam and Lily run into the room.

Sam rushes over to them, “What the hell happened?” He asks, looking down at them.

Lily goes to Ishim’s body and looks at the wings scorched into the ground.

He was dead. He was finally gone.

“Lily.” Dean says, looking up at her.

She turns to them.

“Please. Help him, please.” Dean says, gesturing to Cas.

She looks at Castiel and then looks at Dean, who was softly cradling Cas’ head in his lap. She didn’t have to help him. In fact, she was here to kill him but, seeing the way Dean was crying over Castiel, seeing the way Castiel had tried to protect Dean made her want to help. Help him save his love, his man, now that she was powerful enough to do it. She couldn’t save her own love but she will help Dean. She could tell that Castiel had changed by being with the Winchesters. She will help them.

She walks over to them and crouches down in front of them.

She places a hand on Castiel’s head and mumbles something in Enochian.

Castiel let out a gasp and blinked open his eyes. He wasn’t completely healed but it was enough to wake him up.

“Cas?” Dean helps him sit up. “Are you okay?”

Castiel looks at Dean with tired eyes and nods.

Dean yanks him into a hug.

“Fuck, I thought I lost you. I’m sorry Cas.”

Castiel doesn’t answer but sinks into Dean’s embrace.

“Cas, c’mon let’s get you home.” Dean says, standing up and then helping Castiel up.

Sam comes to Castiel’s other side and helps them.

Dean looks over to Lily, “Thank you.” He says, tightening his grip on Castiel.

She nods as she watches the brothers help Castiel.

Castiel looks at her with bleary eyes, “I’m sorry, I was wrong.” He looks down, breathing heavily. “While it’s true that I didn’t know we were killing an innocent, ignorance is no excuse.” He looks back at her. “I truly can’t imagine the depths of your loss; this was your child.  I can’t imagine the pain. So, if you leave here and you find that you can’t forgive me… I’ll be waiting.”

Lily looks at him with tear filled eyes, overflowing. “Thank you.” She nods at him.

Castiel nods back.

They leave and so does she, hoping to put the past behind them.

*

Dean and Sam walk towards the table, where Castiel was sitting at the end.

Dean puts a beer in front of him, “Here, you earned it.” He says as he walks around him, patting his shoulder and dragging his hand across his back, trying to keep contact as long as possible.

“Oh, well this will do very little for me but I… appreciate the gesture.” He says, as he picks up the beer, looking from Sam, who had situated himself on the table, and then to Dean, who sits down on the chair across from Sam.

“What Ishim said, you’re not weak Cas, you know that, right?” Dean says, looking at him.

Castiel looks away.

“I mean, obviously, you’ve changed, but it’s all been for the better, man.” Sam says, trying to make Cas understand.

“And you’ve been with us every step of this long, crazy thrill ride. And no matter how crazy it got, you never backed down.” Dean explains.

“And that takes real strength.” Sam continues, shaking his head.

“Thank you.” Cas says nodding.

“Cas, I don’t like how the whole Billie thing went down. Okay? I know you think you were doing the right thing. And I’m not mad. I’m worried. Because things like “cosmic consequences” have a habit of biting us in the ass.” Dean explains again, like he did in the motel room.

“I know they do.” Cas says, nodding. “But I don’t regret what I did, even if it costs me my life.” Cas also repeats himself.

“Don’t say that, man.” Sam says looking down, not wanting to think of what would happen if they lost Castiel.

Castiel looks at Sam’s expression and sighs softly, turning his head to look at the map on the table.

Dean decides to change the topic, “So what are you going to do if you find Kelly and, uh, Lucifer Junior?” He asks. Castiel’s gaze move from the table to look at Dean. “It is a Nephilim, right?”

“Oh, no. It’s more than that.” Cas answers, “An ordinary Nephilim is one of the most dangerous beings in creation, but one that’s fathered by an archangel the Devil himself? I…” Cas shakes his head, “I can’t imagine the power.”

“But, Cas, at the end of the it’s a mom and her kid.” Sam says, “I mean, do you… do you think you’ll be able to…” He trails off.

“There was a time when I wouldn’t have hesitated.” Cas says, smiling at himself, thinking of where and what he used to be and where he has come now.

Sam nods.

“But, now, I don’t know.” He answers.

“What are we gonna do?” Dean asks, looking towards Castiel for answers.

“Let’s drink,” Castiel says picking up his bottle. “And hope we can find a better way.” He says, raising his bottle.

Sam and Dean nod before raising their own bottles and taking a drink.

*

A little while later they all head to bed.

Castiel goes to his room and takes off his trench coat and coat, he removes his ties and takes of his shoes. He unbuttons his shirt so he could see where the damage had occurred. He looks down and sees faint bruises, Lily had managed to fix most of his injuries.

He goes to the bed and sits down with his back against the headboard, picking up a book from the bedside table.

An hour later he hears a knock on his door before the knob turns and Dean’s face appears in the doorway.

“Cas?” Dean pokes his head through the door.

“Yes Dean?” Cas says, looking up from his book.

“Are you feeling okay?” Dean asks.

“Yes Dean, I’m fine.” Cas says, putting his book down and gesturing for Dean to come in and sit on the bed.

Dean steps into the room, he was dressed in pajamas and a worn-out t-shirt. He pads over to the bed, feet bare. He settles down on the bed and looks over at Castiel.

“Are you really okay?” Dean asks again.

Castiel frowns, “Yeah Dean.”

Dean chokes on a sob, hand reaching towards Castiel.

Cas grabs Dean’s hand and squeezes, “Dean? What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Cas asks, scooting closer to Dean and putting his other hand on his shoulder.

“I almost lost you today, Cas.” Dean whimpers out.

“Oh Dean, come here.” Castiel pulls Dean against his chest. “I’ll always come back to you.” He says.

“I wish you didn’t have to leave in the first place.”

“I’m sorry, Dean. You know I don’t mean to worry you but I can’t ignore my responsibilities either.” Cas says, running a hand through Dean’s hair.

“I know. I’m just being a baby.” Dean sniffles.

“Hey, no, you aren’t. It’s okay to feel like this Dean. It doesn’t make you weak, instead it makes you stronger. I love you okay and I will always find my way back to you.”

Dean nods, “Can I stay with you tonight?” He asks.

Castiel nods, “Of course Dean.”

They settle down and Cas drapes the blanket over the both of them.

“Cas?” Dean whispers out, once everything was quiet.

“Yeah?”

“I love you too.” Was all Dean says.

Castiel smiles and tugs Dean closer.

[bibliophileiz]

Going through my drafts, I found a post of myself liveblogging “Lily Sunder Has Some Regrets” from when I started (but never finished) a Steve Yockey rewatch last summer. So here you go if you want to read it.

Lily Sunder Has Some Regrets

And all the deancas shippers said, “Amen.”

Directed by Thomas J. Wright and featuring the adorable Alicia Witt as the Kill Bill-inspired titular character, “Lily Sunder Has Some Regrets” is just a 42-minute long old married couple fight interspersed with the coolest angels have been since Season 4. Yes, Steve, I will take more of this, thank you.

(Guys, I’m really gonna miss Steve Yockey next season.) (Note from April of this year: I am DEFINITELY missing Steve Yockey this season. Although Meredith Glynn’s still fab.)

We open on an arcade where an attractive woman is playing games and ignoring the employee telling her he’s about to close up shop. Enter another attractive woman, this one with red hair and an eyepatch, who starts trolling our first hottie. The first thing I notice is that the dialogue is less snappy in this scene than at any time during “Celebrating the Life of Asa Fox” so I’m just going to look at these ladies instead.

Tired of Eye-Patch’s trolling, Arcade Gamer starts to leave, only for Eye-Patch to keep blocking her way. The next exchange is delightfully testosterone-fueled.

“Move out of my way.” “Or what?” “Or I will move you.” “Go ahead. Try.” I feel like I’m watching the two jocks from Heathers.

Arcade Gamer tries to do something magical, but it doesn’t work, as Eye-Patch tells “Benjamin” -- who is not a dude, but an angel (as Cas will later tell us.) What follows next is kind of a boring fight, but the music is pretty good.

Eye-Patch (oh, who are we kidding, it’s Lily) pins Benjamin to the wall and tells him to call his angel friends. Benjamin starts speaking in Enochian and it apparently gets the attention of Castiel, Ishim and whoever the other angel this ep is (I forget) because we get some interesting shots of them all looking at the ceiling. Anyway, Lily kills Benjamin and leaves the arcade like a boss.

I really don’t want to narrate this whole episode, so I’m just going to make sarcastic notes like I did for my “Asa Fox” post.

Bunker scene (Part 1)

I do legitimately want to know: How did Kelly drop off the map? I mean, she’s not a spy, she’s a presidential aide. She has reporters who know her personally and follow her around. This would be like if Josh Lyman just disappeared one day in The West Wing. 

(The whole president plot this season drives me nuts. There is literally no reason that Jack’s biological human father needs to be the president or that Kelly needs to work directly with the president, and there are so many other ways to get Dean and Sam locked up in a secret government base. This whole dumb fucking convoluted plot where the Winchesters are arrested for trying to assassinate the president and no one ever finds out about it is one plot in this show that I actually can’t suspend my disbelief for.)

Also, I think someone pointed out when this episode first aired that there is no reason for Cas to be in the kitchen, because he doesn’t eat, meaning he was just in the kitchen to deliberately not talk to Dean in Dean’s presence.

Cas straight up flounces across Dean’s line of sight this scene, you work it, buddy.

They are so passive aggressive and bitchy, I’m just expecting them to turn to Sam and demand he settle their argument over the Monty Hall problem.

Car scene

Dean turns down the opportunity to listen to music in the car because he wants everyone to know how he’s deliberately not speaking to Cas.

“This Benjamin sounds pretty cool, like he wouldn’t make any half-cocked, knee-jerk choices.” “Yeah, you know what I like about him is that he’s sarcastic, but he’s thoughtful and appreciative.” “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Dean’s internal monologue as he veers into the wrong lane: Oh my God, we’re going to see Cas’ ex-boyfriend!!!

The devout nun who Benjamin would never put in unnecessary danger sounds like way more than a friend.

Cas lets out at least two beleaguered sighs in this scene alone.

Arcade scene

So angels can identify/contact each other by their blades now? What does that mean for all the human hunters with blades? 

Restaurant scene

“You, Castiel -- I liked the old you better.” Yeah, because you’re a dirty old man, Ishim.

(Mirabel, that’s the other angel’s name.)

“And you’re gonna storm in, riiiiiiiiiiggghht now.” God, I love Sam.

Dean “Feeling Left Out” Winchester sits down on Cas to let Ishim know he’s taken.

The actor who plays Ishim is Ian Tracey, and he plays a nice old man in The 100.

Ishim is such a racist he makes finger quotations when referring to Sam and Dean as “people.”

“Why do you let him talk to you like that?” says Dean, who says meaner things to Cas on a regular basis.

Dean just really doesn’t want to work with Cas’ other ex-boyfriend.

Ishim failing to smite Lily is super awesome. Girl has some badass angel powers.

Flashback Scene

Introducing Fem!Cas, which the fandom never got over.

I’m all for these angel ladies in turn-of-the-century dresses. 

THAT SAID, these angels seem to think the human mother could be alive after birthing a nephilim, which is ... not how the rest of this season plays out.

Akobel looks pretty shocked when Cas accuses him of banging a human. Also, apparently presumed innocent and trial by a jury of peers aren’t a thing with angels.

And not to get too out of this episode, but where is Naomi, and shouldn’t she be on Ishim’s ass for trying to shack up with a human??

It’s pretty cool that Lily’s a professor (and of such a badass subject!) in 1905, when most women weren’t even going to universities.

Back in the present, Cas is extremely pretty. These shots are just all his good side.

Ishim and Cas in the church

This scene is actually pretty sexy -- Cas gently removing parts of Ishim’s clothes, Ishim moaning and writhing as Cas heals him and then them both panting when it’s over. Good thing Dean was gone or he would have punched them.

Hotel scene

I get that Dean and Sam are trying to reason with Lily, but the whole “He was just following orders” doesn’t work on a grieving mother. It’s also generally a weak moral argument, and the fact that Sam and Dean (who disobey orders from Heaven they think are unjust all the time) are using it at all demonstrates how they’re thinking with their hearts and not their heads to save Cas. 

“Her name was May. And she was beautiful.” I just love the moms this season. (Mary, Lily, Kelly.)

Alicia Witt is honestly great. She’s so strong, but so fragile, so sad. 

Ishim, of course, is classic abuser/stalker (which Dean’s figuring out), and while that kind of villain is slightly more Meredith Glynn’s wheelhouse, this won’t be the last time Yockey will write about this kind of issue.

“I had my daughter long before I ever laid eyes on an angel,” is the kicker of the whole scene. “My daughter was human.”

And then Dean’s like, “oh fuck, gotta call Cas”

Also, did Ishim take Cas’ phone? Why can’t Cas find it?

And then Dean goes back to save Cas, because nobody messes with Dean’s husband but Dean, dammit!

(for some reason I didn’t finish the post, and I’m not turning off Lost Girl to watch a Supernatural episode right now, but just trust me, the end is great.)